Thyrodex

• Hyperthyroidism
  - with low-grade fever, tachycardia (90 to 120 heartbeats per minute), tremors of the tongue and fingers, enlarged thyroid gland, unilateral or bilateral swollen and bulging eyes
  
  - with palpitations or tachycardia, fatigue, weight loss, fidgeting, irritability, bad temper, aversion to heat, perspiration, hunger and increased appetite, and increased blood pressure
  

• Lowers the level of thyroid hormone in the blood
• Reduces enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Treats the unwanted "sympathetic excess" signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism

• This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.
• Patients with thyrotoxicosis or thyroid storm require emergency medical treatment. Warning signs and symptoms of thyroid storm or thyrotoxicosis include high fever, tachycardia, fidgeting, irritability, nausea, vomiting, obvious weight loss, profuse perspiration, delirium, and possible loss of unconsciousness.
  
• The etiology of Grave‘s disease is the excessive stimulation by the immune system of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. Therefore, during the acute inflammatory phase of the disease when the immune system is activated by the presence of pathogens, qi tonics that boost the immune system, such as Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) in this formula, should not be used since this herb may further stimulate the immune system. During this acute inflammatory phase, Gardenia Complex is a more suitable formula as it has herbs that clear heat and fire to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation throughout the entire body.
  

Consume plenty of the following foods: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, soybeans, spinach, and turnips. These foods may help to suppress thyroid hormone production.

Short-term consumption of foods rich in iodine will provide temporary relief of hyperthyroidism due to a negative feedback mechanism. Long-term consumption, however, is not recommended because foods rich in iodine will facilitate the production of thyroid hormone. Foods rich in iodine include sea salt, iodized salt, kelp, and sargassum.

Eat a variety of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables of all colors.

Incorporate more high-fiber whole grains and nuts into the diet.

Drink warm or hot liquids with meals. Putting cold and ice on any part of the body will immediately constrict the flow of blood to that region. Similarly, drinking cold or iced drinks with meals will hinder the natural peristaltic movements of the digestive system.

Foods with antioxidant effects, such as vitamin A, C and E are beneficial as they neutralize the free radicals and minimize damage to cells. Beneficial foods include citrus fruits, carrots, green leaf vegetables, and green tea.

Chew food completely and thoroughly. The digestive tract can process and absorb smaller pieces of food much better than food that is incompletely chewed. Larger pieces of food can lead to incomplete digestion and digestive discomfort.

Always eat breakfast. According to the TCM clock, the most optimal time for the digestive system is in the morning from 8 to 10 a.m.

Give the body two to three hours between the last meal of the day and bedtime. During sleep, the digestive system slows down as well. Make sure the body has adequate time to digest the food before going into sleep mode.

If the patient is allergic to any food or feels uncomfortable after eating certain foods, then they should avoid eating these foods.

Avoid fast food, processed foods, junk food, artificial sugars, and carbonated drinks. Stay away from meat, greasy food, alcohol, caffeine, tap water, iron supplements, and vegetables and fruits with pesticides.

The Spleen is responsible for generating post-natal qi and good Spleen function also contributes to a healthy immune system. Foods that damage the Spleen should be avoided:

- Avoid any and all foods that contain sugar, such as cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, canned juice, soft drinks, caffeinated drinks, stevia, sugar substitutes, agave, xylitol, and corn syrup.
- Avoid raw or uncooked meats, such as sashimi, sushi, steak tartar, and seared meat. Minimize consumption of foods that are cooling in nature, including tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, bitter melon, cucumber, gourd, luffa, eggplant, winter melon, watermelon, honeydew, citrus, oranges, guava, grapefruit, pineapple, plums, pear, banana, papaya, white radish, mustard leaf, potherb mustard, Chinese kale, napa, and bamboo sprout. Do not eat foods straight from the refrigerator. Long-term intake of cold fruits and vegetables like the ones listed above may be damaging to the Spleen. The cooling property of foods can be neutralized by
cooking or adding 20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii).
- Avoid carbohydrates like white rice or bread as they may produce dampness.
- No seafood especially shellfish like crabs, oyster, scallops, clams, lobster and shrimp (they enter the yangming Stomach channel).
- Avoid fermented foods like cheese or fermented tofu.
- Do not eat dairy products, such as milk, cream, yogurt (except for unsweetened low-fat yogurt), cheese, and ice cream.
- No lamb, beef, goose or duck.
- Avoid deep-fried or greasy foods.

Warm and hot natured foods that damage qi and yin should be avoided, such as:
- certain fruits like mango and durian that produce heat.
- stimulants like coffee, alcohol, and energy drinks.
- spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables such as pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, funnel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi.
Avoid food and drinks with artificial coloring.
Consume as few meat products as possible. Do not eat processed meats, such as lunch meats, hot dogs and sausages, as they contain nitrites that are associated with inflammation and chronic disease.

• Eliminate all stimulants, such as cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke, and caffeine from tea, coffee or soft drinks.
  
  Avoid vigorous exercise, hot tubs, and saunas.
  
  Advise the patients to engage in relaxing exercises, such as walking, qi gong or tai chi chuan [tai ji chuan].
  
  Sleep by 10 p.m. In TCM, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. is when the yin shifts to yang. It is crucial for the body to be at rest during this time for optimal health.
  

Take 3 to 4 capsules three times daily. However, the dosage may need to be adjusted based on age, body weight, severity of condition, and response to the treatment. Patients with hyperthyroidism (other than thyrotoxicosis) should notice dramatic improvement within one to one-and-a-half months of herbal treatment.

• Carapax Trionycis
• Radix Cyathulae
• Radix Saposhnikoviae
• Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae
• Radix Astragali
• Concha Ostreae
• Spica Prunellae
• Radix Scrophulariae
• Radix Polygalae
• Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii
• Radix Astragali Praeparata cum Melle
• Rhizoma Anemarrhenae
• Fructus Gardeniae